KUALA LUMPUR: KPJ Healthcare Bhd marked a milestone in advancing the nation's healthcare following the unveiling of its next-generation hospital by Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

The Johor Ruler launched the Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (DSH2), a smart-hospital boasting cutting-edge technology coupled with a patient-centric approach.

The Ruler, who was accompanied by Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, was given a brief video presentation on DSH2 before signing a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

He was later taken on a tour around the hospital and briefed on its facilities and equipment.

The 300-bed capacity hospital houses seven operating theatres, 10 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 54 consultants’ suites among others.

Speaking to reporters after the event, KPJ Healthcare Bhd chairman Datuk Md Ariff Mahmood said that DSH2 is a showcase of what the new standard of healthcare will be like.

"We started operation last September and activated 60 beds and the plan is to move up to 120 beds by the end of this year.

"We are currently at 60% occupancy rate," he said, adding that the hospital was targeting a ratio of about 70% local patients and 30% regional patients under health tourism.

Although possessing cutting-edge medical equipment, Md Ariif said that patients' care and recovery were the utmost priority of DSH2.

"The idea is not just about the look and feel of the hospital, but more importantly, the approach towards clinical care," he added.

One of the strengths of DSH2, he said, was that the hospital could leverage the expertise of some 150 residents, sessional and visiting consultants who would have access to some 1,500 other consultants, including facilities from the other KPJ hospitals.

Md Ariff said that KPJ Healthcare had set aside RM100mil to develop DSH2 apart from some RM400mil to upgrade its chain of 28 other nationwide hospitals this year.

He said that KPJ Healthcare plans to open its 30th hospital in Kuala Selangor next year.

TAGS

Johor Sultan, KPJ Healthcare, Damansara Specialist Hospital 2, DSH2